San Francisco's oldest bike shop crowdfunds to build a parklet

The owner of San Francicos's oldest bike shop is crowdfunding to help create an exterior track-shaped parklet to honour American Cyclery's track-racing founder. Bradley Woehl, a long-time bicycle advocate and owner of American Cyclery, is aiming to raise $50,000 via IndieGoGo. More than $4,000 has been raised to date.

The cycling-themed parklet will take the place of a car-parking space in front of Woehl's shop, which is in Golden Gate Park.

The project came about after discussions Woehl had with his friend Dennis Budd of Gast Architects.

"Parklets are taking over parking spaces in cities across the country," said Woehl.

"We thought it would be great to replace car parking with a bicycle-themed setting, including a bicycle station and rider amenities for people to meet up at before or after rides. It is designed to honour the Six-Days heritage of the founder of our shop, Oscar Juner."

Juner founded the shop in 1941.

The city has approved Woehl's project. "We just need some help from our friends to complete the financing," he said.

Rewards for contributing range from being able to brand the "Velodrome" in the parklet with a name, to bike tune-ups, bidons and more.